Mughal Emporer Shahjahan built the Red Fort between 1638 and 1648. Various additions, demolitions and other changes have occured subsequently. The fort sits next to the Yamuna River, which fed the moat. National Geographic has a good map of the site. Red sandstone is the primary building material and gives the fort its name.
One of the first stops in the fort is a museum depicting martyrs to Indian independence. This is one of the more dramatic images on display. Kum. Maina was 13 years old when she was captured and tortured by the British in 1857, who were trying to learn from her the whereabouts of rebel leader Nana Sahib. She refused to cooperate and the British burned her alive.
The Diwan-I-Am, or hall of public audience, is where the emperor received the public. His throne sat on a white marble balcony, visible to the left.
The Diwan-I-Khas, or hall of private audience, is where the emperor received courtiers and state guests. It is clad entirely in marble, inlaid with semi-precious stones.
The Rang Mahal formed part of the emperor's seraglio. Water flowed through a channel in the floor, providing much needed cooling during the summer months. The channel is known as the Nahr-I-Behisht or Stream of Paradise.
Although these halls and living quarters appear quite bare now, during the time of the emperors they would have been luxuriously furnished with carpets, cushions, screens and all the accoutrements of comfortable living.
The Moti Masjid, or Pearl Mosque, was built in 1659 by Aurangzeb, Shahjahan's successor. It was for the emperor's private use at that time, and it is currently closed to the public.
The Naqqar-Khana, or drum house, was used to play music at suitable times during the day. It now houses the fort's war museum.
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